Peoria council approves $1.412 million transfer to bid on 834‑acre state land parcel

The Peoria City Council on Aug. 26 approved a contingency budget transfer of $1,412,000 to cover administrative fees required for the city to participate in an Arizona State Land Department public auction for the Core 2 parcel of the Peoria Innovation Corps, the council voted 7‑0.

City Manager Henry Darwin told the council the city has been pursuing a state land purchase as part of its capital improvement program for two budget cycles and views development of state trust land as a way to create shovel‑ready economic development projects. "Per the direction of council, staff is going out. We have every intention of participating in this auction," Darwin said during the meeting.

The parcel described in the State Land auction materials totals 834 acres; staff estimated about 600 acres are developable because portions near Loop 303 and the Agua Fria riverbed include slopes and open space. The state appraiser set the minimum bid at $46,700,000; to qualify as a bidder…